This Too Shall Pass

My biggest concerns when leaving America for Africa was how my emotional and mental states of mind were going to adapt.  Obviously this came after my family, friends, dog, gym, and spinach, banana, apple juice, and ice breakfast protein shakes.   

Up until the past couple of weeks, I have been great.  I was in what Peace Corps calls the Honeymoon Stage.  Please refer to the image at the end of this post.  Now don’t get me wrong, I experienced culture shock when I saw children in the streets begging for shillings, being introduced to the taxi parks in Kampala (Google an image), and having to watch for baboons and elephants crossing the road on a day drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park.  But this is nothing compared to the isolation one has at site. 

My site location could not be more ideal.  My original site had me far off the beaten path.  My closest volunteer would have been approximately 45 minutes away, up and down a dirt path.  I most definitely would have gone crazy.  Now I live in a well-populated area, where you can find eight Volunteers within a 30 minute, 3,000 shilling ($1.20 USD) taxi ride.  This means that the weekends are muzungu (white-person) friendly and typically include American food.  A definite boost for my mental health.  Now do not get me wrong, I absolutely love hanging out with Ugandans.  This is what the Peace Corps is all about…  Cultural exchange and friendship.  I am fortunate to work with a very intelligent group of Ugandans, who I enjoy walking through town with, attending the gym with, and talking about cultural differences.  The community members are great as well and most know me by my Runyankore name of Kyomuhendo.  Meaning: precious.  Thanks host mom! 

Things at site have been very, very slow.  There has been talk about relocating.  There have been rumors in local newspapers about the hospital being closed; therefore we are not getting any patients.  The hospital staff sits and watches television in between talking porridge for breakfast and matooke and beans for lunch.  These are issues that I do not know how to tackle.  These individuals are unbelievably intelligent and extremely hospitable, but the motivation is lacking for various reasons that are out of my control.  AKA commission.  AKA money.

These issues have not helped to contribute to the fact that the past week has been really difficult in terms of being homesick.  I miss my family.  A lot.  I thought the pictures lining my walls would help.  It does, but not as much as seeing them in person.  Then I log on to Facebook to see my friends’ statuses about new and exciting life events, only to realize that I am not there to help celebrate and congratulate.  I would kill for the gym, to see the familiar faces that occupied the free weights, spin bikes, and treadmills next to mine.  I miss my Mama’s cooking.  I miss running water that doesn’t run out when your hair is full of shampoo.

Even with missing all of these things in America, I love Uganda.  I love every moment that each new day brings.  I love the conversations that I have with Ugandans – about my family, friends, American healthcare, President Obama, and dispelling rumors that vampires are real.  I love that I have reconnected with my faith.  I love that I have time to read, reflect, and ruminate about my future.  I love having to decide what to eat for dinner – oatmeal, popcorn, or eggs.  I love feeling like a princess when I sleep under my mosquito net.  I love being in a country that got to celebrate a gold medal at the recent Olympics and bring in their 50^th year of independence.  

I have so much to look forward to in the coming months that my funk should pass.  I have Thanksgiving at Lake Bunyoni (again, Google an image) and Christmas with newfound friends.  I will be reunited with my training class for In-Service Training in which case we will then tackle rafting the Nile River.  I have been selected as a camp Counselor for National Camp GLOW.

There will be highs and there will be lows.  There is no doubt that these are what will make me a better-rounded individual.  This is just all a part of the experience that is the Peace Corps.